NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- We hear it just about every year. A couple of players mention they want to play together in college, a package deal of sorts. Then it gets down to crunch time and they realize it’s just not practical, so they go their separate ways. It has become an annual rite of passage on the recruiting trail each July.
But this one feels different. I’ve been around the recruiting game for 15 years, and the Tyus Jones-Jahlil Okafor two-for-one appears as though it’s not farfetched at all.
“We’re going to make it happen,” said Jones, the smooth Minnesota native who just happens to be the top-rated point guard in the nation.
“I’d say in the 90 percent range,” added Okafor. He's the ridiculously skilled big man out of Chicago and was asked to put a number value on the likelihood the duo will be teammates next season in college.
Okafor is ranked No. 1 in the nation. Jones checks in at No. 3 in ESPN’s latest rankings.
If these guys do play together in college, there are five legitimate contenders for their services.